Re: Head on in the Western district

[Notagunzel <notagunzel@my-deja.com>]

In article <81puc2$20pb$1@otis.netspace.net.au>,
  "Exnarc" <gwrly@netspace.net.au> wrote:

> Reece,

> The present system of securing the points at Ararat yard is purely
> Victorian Railways, ARTC inherited if from the PTC. The points in
> question are locked by Master Key and are operated under "Victorian"
> Section Authority System Rules.

> If ARTC had introduced SA operating proceedures into Ararat, all they
> would have provided would be: A Switch Stand and a padlock, locked
> with a standard AN "S" lock.

Last I knew, and I'm open to corrections, Ararat had Annett Locks at
each end.  IIRC an A pattern at the Up end and a B pattern at the Down
end.  The relevent key was kept in a locked box adjacent to the box
(V5PSW)

It's actually worse than when the SG was first reopened.  At least then
they had staff locks on the points, and the Maryborough staff was
specially hacked so as not to open the main line points.  At some time
the Staff Locks were replaced with Annett Locks.  Initially there was A
pattern at each end, but later the down (?) end got a B pattern lock.

Its actually all very mickey mouse.

> The interesting thing about Ararat is that the area involves the
> co-operation of 3 Train Control Boards operated by 2 Train Control
> Companies. (ARTC CTC Wolseley to Pyrenees Loop, ARTC ASW from
> Pyrenees Loop to Newport, and Freight Victorian Train Control on the
> M'borough line into Ararat Yard, "Train Orders or Train Staff" (not
> sure of the current authority on this section). So as you see ARTC
> don't control the whole area.

Staff (no ticket?) to M'borough.

> What actually happened at Ararat I'll leave to Workcover and the ARTC
> and Freight Victoria Boards of Enquiry, but as you pointed out, on
> the surface it appears as though someperson (at this stage unknown)
> operated the Master Key locked points.

Shades of Zanthus.  From what I've seen, I am lead to beleive, for
whatever reason, the Annett Locked points at the down end were left
reverse after shunting.

Will the enquiry result in anything improving? I doubt it.

P.S. as im currently using deja.com (in Qld) I hope this posts
properly. :-)

Notagunzel


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